Get number of likes received by post author

wp-ulike.php

<?php

function wp_ulike_custom_author_counter( $user_id, $status = 'like' ){
	global $wpdb;

	$meta_key = wp_ulike_setting_repo::isDistinct( 'post' ) ? 'count_distinct_' . $status : 'count_total_' . $status;

	return $wpdb->get_var(
		$wpdb->prepare(
			"SELECT SUM(m.meta_value) FROM {$wpdb->prefix}ulike_meta m INNER JOIN $wpdb->posts p ON m.item_id = p.ID AND p.post_author = %s WHERE m.meta_group = 'post' AND m.meta_key = %s",
			$user_id,
			$meta_key
		)
	);
}